Ohio

Some Ohio veterans say state isn't doing enough to help

Published

1 year ago

November 11, 2024

Some Ohio veterans say state isn't doing enough to help

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Veterans Day is meant to remember those who served, with many losing their lives to fight for the United States. Some Ohio vets want the state to fight better for them.

While at the Veterans Day Ceremony in Green, Army vet Rodney Yeargin reflected on his time in the service.

“[The day is] to realize and understand the honor and separation that they went through,” Yeargin said.

Although numbers vary from state to federal databases, the state reported that they have nearly 700,000 veterans.

Ohio has a slew of resources for veterans, ranging from educational opportunities — like a fast track to earning college credits — to employment assistance, like the specific career program to help vets find jobs.

Some of the programs have benefited state Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson), an Air Force vet who sits on the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee.

“There’s a lot of work that we do about accessibility for services and trying to enhance veterans’ way of life here in Ohio,” Weinstein said.

But Yeargin says Ohio could be doing better.

“The state should be doing more, especially for the homeless,” he said. “There’s too many of them killing themselves [sic], there’s too many of them sitting on the streets in boxes.”

There are more than 630 unhoused veterans in Ohio, federal data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates. Plus, more than 7% of all vets in Ohio live in poverty.

Bill to help homeless veterans in Ohio suddenly killed by lawmakers for ‘not being needed’

Luckily, the organization Sub Zero Mission is dedicated to helping veterans facing homelessness.

Sub-Zero Mission launches new ‘Homeless Veteran Re-empowerment Program’

Sub Zero Mission launches new ‘Homeless Veteran Re-empowerment Program’ streamlining services

One unhoused veteran is too many, Weinstein said, and he and the committee are currently reviewing bills to make homes more affordable.

“We are always trying to work to ease financial hardships — and in particular, things around property tax alleviation, homestead exemptions, things that can make and ease financial hardships for veterans,” he said.

However, due to squabbling between leadership in each chamber, the bills have stalled. Both the House and the Senate agree to help veterans but can’t agree on the vehicle to do it.

An example of this is H.B. 187, originally a property tax relief bill proposed by House lawmakers. It would have changed how property tax is determined and increased homestead exemptions.

The Senate, however, changed it to focus on financially vulnerable people, which the House will now need to agree to. This would have immediate property tax relief for eligible veterans with disabilities. The bill sponsors are not happy with the changes.

At this point, no one can get the property tax relief.

The House also sent over H.B. 57, which dealt specifically with a property tax homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities. It is sitting in the Senate.

“It’s very frustrating to me when you see a common objective, but things get tripped up by infighting — that slow us and slow our ability to deliver really critical support needed for those who served us,” Weinstein said.

Healthcare is also a major challenge, Yeargin added.

Ohio has several different medical programs, like the new Veterans Crisis Line — which you can reach by calling 988 if you’re struggling with your mental health. Counties also provide transportation to VA appointments.

But, some veterans still struggle with the costs of those medical bills.

“It should be all veterans for all things, all the time, regardless of their status,” Yeargin said. “A lot of the benefits in the medical section I have to pay for.”

There are now efforts to get more money for services for veterans into the next state budget.

Resources for veterans

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.

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Ohio

Sieh Bangura runs for 149 yards and a score, helps Ohio beat UNLV 17-10 in Frisco Bowl

Published

2 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

Sieh Bangura runs for 149 yards and a score, helps Ohio beat UNLV 17-10 in Frisco Bowl

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Sieh Bangura rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown and Ohio beat UNLV 17-10 on Tuesday night to win the Frisco Bowl.

The Bobcats (9-4) have won their last seven bowl games — dating to 2017 — after losing eight of their first 10.

Defensive coordinator and interim head coach John Hauser led Ohio to this victory after head coach Brian Smith was fired earlier in the month for having an affair with an undergraduate student.

Ohio’s Parker Navarro had a 5-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper five minutes into the second quarter for the only score of the first half. The lead was 6-0 after David Dellenbach’s extra-point kick hit the right upright.

UNLV (10-4) had a first down on the Bobcats’ 33-yard line with 32 second left, but DJ Walker picked off an Anthony Colandrea pass in the end zone to keep it 6-0.

Bangura scored on a 23-yard run less than four minutes into the third quarter, and Navarro passed to Chase Hendricks for the two-point conversion and a 14-0 lead.

Hendricks muffed a punt at the end of UNLV’s first possession and Kayden McGee recovered at the Ohio 30. The Rebels settled for a career-long 50-yard field goal by Ramon Villela to cut it to 14-3.

Dellenbach kicked a 45-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, but Colandrea scored on a fourth-and-goal run from the 2 to get the Rebels within 17-10 with 4:45 remaining. UNLV never got the ball back in falling to 4-4 all time in bowl games.

Navarro completed 11 of 15 passes for 143 yards with an interception. Bangura did his damage on 19 carries.

Colandrea totaled 184 yards on 19-for-30 passing.

UNLV had the nation’s longest run of scoring at least 20 points end at 35 games.

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Ohio

Ohio AG on human trafficking: It’s not rich and poor, it’s literally all around us

Published

14 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Ohio AG on human trafficking: It’s not rich and poor, it’s literally all around us

COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the second time in two years, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and the Steubenville Police Department have joined forces to combat human trafficking crimes.

In October, the operation led to the arrest of eight individuals for sex trafficking offenses, including men from Follansbee and St. Clairsville.

Earlier, in July 2024, 10 men from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia were apprehended and charged with solicitation and possession of criminal tools.

“It just goes to show that human trafficking happens everywhere,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “This isn’t a big city thing, it happens in small towns, it happens out in the country. It’s not rich and poor, it’s literally all around us.

“I am hopeful that the message is going out around Ohio and Steubenville and the Mahoning Valley — Don’t Buy Sex in Ohio!”

He also highlighted the support provided to survivors during these operations.

“We always have social service providers that partner with us that are on site. So, whether it’s something simple like a meal or a shower or something as necessary as an addiction treatment bed — we’re there to try and help provide the resource,” Yost added.

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For those affected by human trafficking, a victim services directory is available here.

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Ohio

3 kids lead police on Ohio car chase after learning to steal vehicles on YouTube: officials

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

3 kids lead police on Ohio car chase after learning to steal vehicles on YouTube: officials

NEWBURGH HEIGHTS, Ohio — Three kids, ages 12, 11, and 8, led Ohio police on a chase in a stolen car on Saturday, according to police.

According to the Newburgh Heights Police Department, an 11-year-old was driving a car that was stolen from Parma, WEWS reported.

Officers chased the car on Harvard Avenue west over the Denison Bridge. Shortly after the chase began, the car crashed into a house on Denison Avenue, police said.

No injuries were reported.

Newburgh Heights PD said two brothers, an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old, along with a 12-year-old, began running from the police.

After police caught them, the kids told officers they watched YouTube videos to learn how to steal cars, police said.

According to the department, the boys were released to their parents, and police will file charges in juvenile court.

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